"I know in my heart he is innocent. My husband is a good person," she said. "The picture the police gave to the media makes my husband look guilty, but he's not. That picture doesn't explain what character he has."

Fikadu is a father of two, who moved his family from Eritrea seven years ago, for a better life.

"My husband is a good dad and a good husband," she said.

The allegations paint a very different picture.

A woman told police Fikadu gave a customer a ride home to Sheridan and 20th, followed her inside, and raped her last Thursday.

Edgewater police arrested him a few hours later with help from Denver Police and the FBI.

"It hurts me a lot. I can't explain my words," Fikadu said.

Fikadu was driving a Freedom Cab. The company has not yet responded to phone calls and emails from 9Wants to Know.

A friend of the accuser says her family told her not to talk, because it could hurt the investigation.

"I feel it is unfair for people to assume he's guilty," his wife said.

His wife plans to be in court when Fikadu is formally charged.

"I'm going to be here for him and I will sacrifice for him," she said.

Fikadu and his wife haven't spoken since his arrest but when they do, she plans to tell him one thing.

"Don't be so frustrated and don't be so scared," she said. "The truth will come out."

Fikadu's wife is left to care for their two young children and her elderly parents.

A 9Wants to Know background check on Fikadu shows a clean record and no prior arrests in Colorado.

According to court records, Fikadu was issued two traffic tickets for speeding.

Have a comment or tip for investigative reporter Jeremy Jojola? Call him at 303-871-1425 or e-mail him